Device Management

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Allow administrators to securely and remotely configure enrolled devices using Device Management.

Device Management Documentation

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Issue with MDM InstallApplication manifest retrieval with mutual TLS
We have a development where we are MDM managing iOS devices and attempting to enforce mutual TLS for all interactions with the MDM. We are DEP provisionng an enrolment profile that utilises an ACME hardware attested Device Identity Certificate. All interactions with the MDM endpoints are correctly utilising the ACME certificate for the client mutual TLS handshake. The certificate has Client Authentication Extended Key Usage. Behind the same API gateway and on the same SNI we are also serving paths to Enterprise application manifests and IPAs. We can see from the phone log and from packet traces the iOS device doesn't offer the Device Identity Certificate for client authentication when retrieving these URLs. We have also tried adding non ACME client certificates from the root trusted by the server to the initial profile with exactly the same outcome. If we temporarily disable the mutualTLS we can see that the request for the manifest has a userAgent of "com.apple.appstored/1.0 iOS/18.2 model/iPhone17,3 hwp/t8140 build/22C5125e (6; dt:329) AMS/1" which is not the same as the mdm interactions. Is it actually possible to achieve mutualTLS to authenticate these downloads or is a different solution required ? Any advice greatly appreciated.
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Challenges with MDM App Update Functionality
Dear Apple Team, As an MDM (Mobile Device Management) service provider, we are writing to bring attention to an issue that is affecting many of our customers who manage large fleets of iOS devices. Specifically, we have encountered challenges with the app update process via MDM, which is impacting both kiosk devices and non-kiosk devices in a variety of use cases. Issue 1: App Updates Delayed on Kiosk Devices Many of our customers are deploying kiosk devices that are used 24/7 independently with no attendants. In these cases, when an app update is sent through MDM via the installApplication command, the installation does not begin immediately. Instead, the update starts only after the device is locked. However, since these kiosk devices are running continuously, they are rarely locked, preventing the app update from occurring. To force the update, administrators need to manually remote lock or physically lock the device, which is a time-consuming process. This becomes even more challenging for devices like Apple TV, where remotely locking and unlocking the device to complete app updates is especially difficult, making it hard to keep the apps up to date in a timely manner. Issue 2: User Cancellations of Critical Updates on Non-Kiosk Devices In the case of non-kiosk devices, customers are encountering another challenge: when a critical update is pushed during business hours, users are often prompted to install the update. However, many users tend to cancel the update, leaving devices unpatched and potentially vulnerable. This behavior can delay the deployment of important security patches, which is a critical concern for organizations managing sensitive data or business-critical apps. Request for a Solution Our customers have expressed the need for a more reliable and forceful app update mechanism. Specifically, we are requesting the following features to improve the app update experience: Scheduled app updates: The ability to schedule app updates, similar to the way OS updates are handled. If the user does not install the update within a specified timeframe, the update should begin automatically or prompt the user with a stronger reminder. Force install option: A feature that would allow MDM administrators to force an app update immediately, without relying on user intervention. This would ensure that critical updates are installed promptly, improving security and system stability across all devices. These features are essential for many of our customers who rely on timely and consistent app updates to maintain security, functionality, and compliance across their managed devices. Without these options, they face challenges in ensuring devices are kept up-to-date, which can result in security vulnerabilities and operational disruptions. We kindly request that Apple consider adding these functionalities to improve the MDM app update process and provide a more reliable experience for both kiosk and non-kiosk device management. Thank you for your attention to this matter. We look forward to your feedback and any potential improvements in future iOS updates. Raised in the same manner as feedback: FB15910292
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How to access DEP device data from Apple Business Manager via API
I am currently working on a Visual Basic .NET project and aim to integrate an internal application with the Apple Business Manager API to access DEP (Device Enrollment Program) device data. Specifically, I would like to request any guidance on the following aspects: Generating a Valid Access Token: I am aware that JSON tokens are required to interact with the API, but I am unsure of the correct procedure to create a valid token for accessing the Apple Business Manager data. How to set permissions for accessing DEP Device Data: What steps do I need to follow to obtain the necessary permissions to read DEP device data from Apple Buiness Manager? Are there specific configurations or approval processes that need to be completed within Apple Developer Account oder Apple Business Manager account (which both uses same Apple ID)? API Endpoints and Documentation to access Business Manager by API: Could you please point me to the relevant APIs and endpoints for interacting with the DEP data? Which web requests to send where? Any documentation that outlines the API structure fur Business Manager access and how and where to obtain access tokens for it. Thanks for any assistance as I stuck here since it is ma first project accessing Apple APIs.
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Sep ’24
Active Supervision Mode for Parental Control – Restricting iOS and Third-Party Apps
I’m looking for advice on implementing an Active Supervision Mode for enhanced parental control. My goal is to restrict access to both iOS system apps and third-party applications to create a safer and more tailored digital experience for my child. Here’s what I’d like to achieve: App Restrictions: Block specific apps (both iOS and third-party) and allow access only to approved ones. Time Limits: Set daily usage limits for individual apps or app categories. Content Filtering: Apply restrictions to block inappropriate content and age-inappropriate apps. Remote Management: Manage these settings remotely from my device for added convenience. Activity Monitoring: View app usage stats or receive alerts for policy violations. I understand that Screen Time on iOS offers basic parental controls, but I’m exploring whether iOS supports more advanced capabilities natively or through additional configurations. I’ve also heard that enrolling a device in Apple Business Manager (ABM) and linking it to an MDM (Mobile Device Management) solution might provide greater control. If this is a viable solution, could anyone provide guidance on: Enrolling a personal or family-owned device into Apple Business Manager. Linking an MDM for configuring app restrictions and monitoring usage. Alternatively, if there are third-party parental control apps that work seamlessly with iOS to achieve these goals, I’d appreciate your recommendations! Thanks in advance for your insights!
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ManagedAppDistribution problem with getting the apps
Hello, We are trying to use the Managed App Distribution framework with our mdm following the documentation here : https://developer.apple.com/documentation/managedappdistribution But on the first load we don't get anything, the app keep getting stuck inside the following code without sending an error or getting the managed apps for try await result in ManagedAppLibrary.currentDistributor.availableApps { content = try result.get().map(Content.managedApp) } If we update the list of available managed apps in our mdm, the function execute and so we have all the apps displayed as expected, but if we close and re-open the app it'll again not display anything until we update the managed apps list. How can we fetched our managed apps at anytime and not only when the list is updated ? Why this method seems to be waiting for an update instead of just fetching the available managed apps when we call it ?
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Aug ’24
Device not responding to MDM actions
out of 37 devices, 7 are inactive( al are ios ). We have checked one of the devices and the broadcast message was sent successful. Additionally, Cx confirmed that the location history is shown properly. We restarted the device, checked the date and time, and found it to be correct. We also switched to a different network, but that doesn't change anything. The sync from the Hexnode app was successful. We reinstalled the MDM profile, yet it doesn't change anything. We renewed the APNs once and checked, but the scan device action remains pending.
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Oct ’24
allowWebDistributionAppInstallation and forcePreserveESIMOnErase require supervision discrepantly with documentation
We provide a MDM product. In our product, payloads and properties which require supervision display those requirements. Two properties forcePreserveESIMOnErase and allowWebDistributionAppInstallation of the restriction payload don’t require a supervised device according to the descriptions in Apple Developer Documentation. However, in our observation, those properties seem to require it. Are those OS bugs or documentation errors? (In which category should I submit a feedback?) Steps to reproduce Prepare a supervised device (I used an iPhone 12 mini with iOS 18.1) and a configuration profile contains the following restrictions: <!-- Does not require a supervised device --> <key>allowDiagnosticSubmission</key> <false/> <!-- Requires a supervised device --> <key>allowESIMModification</key> <false/> <!-- Does not require a supervised device according to its description --> <key>allowWebDistributionAppInstallation</key> <false/> <!-- Does not require a supervised device according to its description --> <key>forcePreserveESIMOnErase</key> <true/> Then, Install the profile with Apple Configurator. Confirm 4 restrictions are shown in Settings > General > VPN & Device Management > PayloadDisplayName > Restrictions. Punch Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings, to unsupervise. Install the profile with Apple Configurator. It cannot be installed automatically because the device was not supervised. Manually install the downloaded profile. Check Settings > General > VPN & Device Management > PayloadDisplayName > Restrictions. Expected results 3 restrictions—allowDiagnosticSubmission, allowWebDistributionAppInstallation and forcePreserveESIMOnErase—are shown. Actual results Only one restriction—allowDiagnosticSubmission—is shown. Appendix: Restriction keys and their restricted message shown in Settings allowESIMModification: eSIM modification not allowed forcePreserveESIMOnErase: Preserve eSIM on erase enforced allowWebDistributionAppInstallation: Web app distribution not allowed allowDiagnosticSubmission: Diagnostic submission not allowed
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Advice on Implementing Active Supervision Mode for Parental Control
I’m looking for advice on implementing an Active Supervision Mode for enhanced parental control. My goal is to restrict access to both iOS system apps and third-party applications to create a safer and more tailored digital experience for my child. Here’s what I’d like to achieve: App Restrictions: Block specific apps (both iOS and third-party) and allow access only to approved ones. Time Limits: Set daily usage limits for individual apps or app categories. Content Filtering: Apply restrictions to block inappropriate content and age-inappropriate apps. Remote Management: Manage these settings remotely from my device for added convenience. Activity Monitoring: View app usage stats or receive alerts for policy violations. I understand that Screen Time on iOS offers basic parental controls, but I’m exploring whether iOS supports more advanced capabilities natively or through additional configurations. I’ve also heard that enrolling a device in Apple Business Manager (ABM) and linking it to an MDM (Mobile Device Management) solution might provide greater control. If this is a viable solution, could anyone provide guidance on: Enrolling a personal or family-owned device into Apple Business Manager. Linking an MDM for configuring app restrictions and monitoring usage. Alternatively, if there are third-party parental control apps that work seamlessly with iOS to achieve these goals, I’d appreciate your recommendations! Thanks in advance for your insights!
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SMAppService fails to register agent with MDM
btm_launchagent.txt I have a menu bar app which should be triggered to start when a system extension is successfully installed. The menu bar app is configured as a agent which should be started by SMAppServer. SMAppService register/unregister the agent successfully when the program is running locally. When doing the program installation through JamfNow, which is a MDM system, it fails with following error. I think the problem here is that the backgroundtaskmanagementd trys to register the agent with an invalid uid=-1 or uid: 4294967295(0xFFFFFFFF). 2024-10-02 10:45:33.100537+0200 0x156d4 Activity 0x1b927 88 0 smd: (BackgroundTaskManagement) BTMManager.getEffectiveDisposition 2024-10-02 10:45:33.103478+0200 0x156dd Default 0x1b927 282 0 backgroundtaskmanagementd: [com.apple.backgroundtaskmanagement:main] effectiveItemDisposition: appURL=file:///Applications/Company%20Agent.app/, type=agent, url=Contents/Library/LaunchAgents/com.Company.agent.notifier.plist -- file:///, config={ BTMConfigArguments = ( ); BTMConfigBundleIdentifiers = ( ); BTMConfigExecutablePath = "Contents/Resources/CompanyNotifier.app/Contents/MacOS/CompanyNotifier"; BTMConfigLabel = "com.Company.agent.notifier"; } 2024-10-02 10:45:33.103544+0200 0x156dd Info 0x1b927 282 0 backgroundtaskmanagementd: [com.apple.backgroundtaskmanagement:main] effectiveItemDisposition: result=[disabled, allowed, visible, not notified] 2024-10-02 10:45:33.105120+0200 0x156d4 Default 0x1b927 88 0 smd: (BackgroundTaskManagement) [com.apple.backgroundtaskmanagement:main] getEffectiveDisposition: disposition=[disabled, allowed, visible, not notified], have LWCR=true 2024-10-02 10:45:33.105181+0200 0x156d4 Default 0x0 88 0 smd: [com.apple.xpc.smd:all] Found status: 0 for &lt;private&gt; 2024-10-02 10:45:33.240190+0200 0x154da Default 0x0 88 0 smd: [com.apple.xpc.smd:SMAppServiceFactory] Setting up BundleProgram keys for &lt;private&gt; 2024-10-02 10:45:33.240250+0200 0x154da Default 0x0 88 0 smd: [com.apple.xpc.smd:SMAppServiceFactory] Setting up BundleProgram keys for &lt;private&gt; 2024-10-02 10:45:33.240388+0200 0x154da Activity 0x1b92a 88 0 smd: (BackgroundTaskManagement) BTMManager.registerLaunchItemWithAuditToken 2024-10-02 10:45:33.243990+0200 0x156dd Default 0x1b92a 282 0 backgroundtaskmanagementd: [com.apple.backgroundtaskmanagement:main] registerLaunchItem: pid=3626, uid=-1, type=agent, parentURL=&lt;private&gt;, url=&lt;private&gt;, config=&lt;private&gt; 2024-10-02 10:45:33.244917+0200 0x156dd Default 0x1b92a 282 0 backgroundtaskmanagementd: [com.apple.backgroundtaskmanagement:main] registerLaunchItem: found existing item: uuid=AC0DBC9B-7A16-443E-ABFC-05DF0F534C08, name=CompanyNotifier, type=managed agent, disposition=[disabled, allowed, visible, notified], identifier=com.Company.agent.notifier, url=Contents/Library/LaunchAgents/com.Company.agent.notifier.plist -- file:/// 2024-10-02 10:45:33.245238+0200 0x156dd Debug 0x1b92a 282 0 backgroundtaskmanagementd: [com.apple.backgroundtaskmanagement:main] BTMStore: save scheduled. 2024-10-02 10:45:33.245281+0200 0x156dd Debug 0x1b92a 282 0 backgroundtaskmanagementd: [com.apple.backgroundtaskmanagement:main] RecordSet notification scheduled for uid -1 .... 2024-10-02 10:45:33.252358+0200 0x154da Error 0x0 88 0 smd: [com.apple.xpc.smd:SMAppService] Unable to submit job: &lt;private&gt; error: Error Domain=OSLaunchdErrorDomain Code=112 UserInfo={NSLocalizedFailureReason=&lt;private&gt;} 2024-10-02 10:45:33.252707+0200 0x156d4 Default 0x1b92a 88 0 smd: [com.apple.xpc.smd:all] Update request for identifier: &lt;private&gt; uid: 4294967295 2024-10-02 10:45:33.253190+0200 0x156dd Default 0x1b92a 282 0 backgroundtaskmanagementd: [com.apple.backgroundtaskmanagement:main] getItemWithIdentifier: identifier=com.Company.agent.notifier, uid=-1 2024-10-02 10:45:33.253759+0200 0x156d4 Error 0x1b92a 88 0 smd: [com.apple.xpc.smd:btm] Error getting BTMItem with Identifier: &lt;private&gt; uid: 4294967295 error: (null) 2024-10-02 10:45:33.253803+0200 0x156d4 Error 0x1b92a 88 0 smd: [com.apple.xpc.smd:all] Unable to find BTMItem for &lt;private&gt; in 4294967295 2024-10-02 10:45:33.253835+0200 0x156d4 Error 0x1b92a 88 0 smd: [com.apple.xpc.smd:all] Update operation returned error: 3, but no reply expected so error will be silent 2024-10-02 10:45:33.661537+0200 0x156dd Debug 0x0 282 0 backgroundtaskmanagementd: [com.apple.backgroundtaskmanagement:main] sending notification for uid -1, type 131080 2024-10-02 10:45:33.665159+0200 0x154fa Info 0x1b853 282 0 backgroundtaskmanagementd: [com.apple.backgroundtaskmanagement:main] fetchSFLItemsMatching: type=managed user item app 2024-10-02 10:45:33.665374+0200 0x154fa Activity 0x15dd3 282 0 backgroundtaskmanagementd: (BackgroundTaskManagement) BTMManager.userDataDidChange 2024-10-02 10:45:33.666041+0200 0x154da Activity 0x1b92d 88 0 smd: (BackgroundTaskManagement) BTMManager.userDataDidChange 2024-10-02 10:45:33.666651+0200 0x154fa Debug 0x15dd3 282 0 backgroundtaskmanagementd: (BackgroundTaskManagement) [com.apple.backgroundtaskmanagement:main] -[BTMManager handleUserDataDidChangeNotification:]: uid=-1, type=131080 2024-10-02 10:45:33.666085+0200 0x154da Debug 0x1b92d 88 0 smd: (BackgroundTaskManagement) [com.apple.backgroundtaskmanagement:main] -[BTMManager handleUserDataDidChangeNotification:]: uid=-1, type=131080 2024-10-02 10:45:36.218160+0200 0x154fa Debug 0x0 282 0 backgroundtaskmanagementd: [com.apple.backgroundtaskmanagement:main] -[BTMStore handleWriteTimer] entered 2024-10-02 10:45:36.218254+0200 0x154fa Debug 0x0 282 0 backgroundtaskmanagementd: [com.apple.backgroundtaskmanagement:main] -[BTMStore _save] entered 2024-10-02 10:45:36.224738+0200 0x154fa Default 0x0 282 0 backgroundtaskmanagementd: [com.apple.backgroundtaskmanagement:main] BTMStore: store saved to /var/db/com.apple.backgroundtaskmanagement/BackgroundItems-v9.btm Could it be a problem from the MDM system JamfNow or somewhere else? The whole logs is as attached. Thanks!
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Oct ’24
Restrict (New) Device Management (old Profiles) in System Settings in macOS 15.x
Hello everyone. Until macOS 14.x Sonoma, the Configuration Profiles, were hosted in System Preferences / Privacy & Security / Profiles. Now, in macOS 15.x, they are hosted in System Preferences / General / Device Management. The thing is, we need to hide this panel since it shows the initial password of a LAPS account to any user. I have seen that in developer.apple.com in the Profile-Specific Payload Keys section, the object SystemPreferences have been Deprecated, and these are the ones we used until now to lock this panel, so it does not work anymore. So that only the objects Restrictions works, in which it does not show any to block the Device Management panel. Does anyone know how to hide/lock the new Device Management panel in System Settings? Thank you very much! Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
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iOS 18 Bug -Certificate Trust Settings for Private Root Certificates Not Available
Importing an existing self- signed trusted root certificate no longer triggers option to trust cert in Settings / About / Certificate Trust Settings In iOS 18. Cert installed manually from internal website, as email attachment, and using profile in Configurator all produce same result. Same cert and processes work on iOS 16.7.10, iOS 17.6.1 and iPadOS 18.0 But not on iOS 18.0 nor beta iOS 18.1 beta5 on iPhone 16 Also tried regening a new test root on macOS Sonoma and installing using Configurator. No difference. It’s broken - I’ve reported it by Feedback - it’s a vital security flaw. Anyone else see this or have a workaround?
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Sep ’24
managed settings pushed through dscl are not appearing in /Library/Managed Preferences/ empty on Sequoia
We are pushing some Chrome settings through Directory Services command line utility /usr/bin/dscl /usr/bin/dscl /Local/Default -mcximport /Computers/local_computer chrome_settings.plist /usr/bin/mcxrefresh -n root These commands created com.google.Chrome.plist in /Library/Managed Preferences on previous macOS versions. However on macOS 15.x Sequoia these commands intermittently fail to create the file in /Library/Managed Preferences though there is no error reported or any log entries that could indicate an error. There could be other component on Sequoia that is preventing directory services tool to push the preferences but I am unable to locate it. It is not MDM because the machines are not enrolled (also have a setup where dscl and MDM both work). This is happening on a clean macbook setup but I have never seen it happen on mac mini. Anyone have an idea what could be interfering with directory services to complete its task of pushing managed settings? DDM?
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iOS 18 - Unable to receive files using AirDrop when "allowListedAppBundleIDs" restriction key is used
On a supervised device running iOS 18 without any AirDrop restrictions applied, when a profile with allowListedAppBundleIDs restriction key is installed, the AirDrop sound plays. But still the accept prompt does not appear, making it impossible to accept files. The prompt works as expected on iOS 18 devices to which the allowListedAppBundleIDs restriction is not installed. This issue occurs only on supervised iOS 18 devices to which the allowListedAppBundleIDs restriction is being applied. Device must be in iOS 18 version > Install the (allowListedAppBundleIDs restriction) profile with the device > Try to AirDrop files to the managed device. The expected result is that the accept prompt must pop up but it does not appear. This issue is occurring irrespective of any Whitelisted bundle ID being added to the allowListedAppBundleIDs restriction profile. Have attached a few Whitelisted bundle ID here com.talentlms.talentlms.ios.beta, com.maxaccel.safetrack, com.manageengine.mdm.iosagent, com.apple.weather, com.apple.mobilenotes, gov.dot.phmsa.erg2, com.apple.calculator, com.manageengine.mdm.iosagent, com.apple.webapp, com.apple.CoreCDPUI.localSecretPrompt etc. Have raised a Feedback request (FB15709399) with sysdiagnose logs and a short video on the issue.
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Apple ACME client failing to poll order when order is in "processing" status.
I'm developing an ACME server to issue identity certificates to macOS/iOS devices for MDM attestation, following RFC 8555. Per RFC, the client creates an order, performs authorization, verifies the challenge, and finalizes the order by submitting a CSR to the CA. In my setup, the CA sometimes takes longer to issue the certificate (around 50 seconds). According to RFC 8555, if certificate issuance isn’t complete after the /finalize call, the server should respond with an "order" object with a "processing" status. The client should then send a POST-as-GET request to the order resource (e.g., /order/<order_id>) to check the current state. If the CA still hasn’t issued the certificate, the server should return the order object with the same "processing" status and include a "Retry-After" header, indicating when the client should retry. The client is expected to poll the order resource at this specified interval with POST-as-GET requests. However, it seems the Apple ACME client ignores the "Retry-After" header and instead returns the error: "Profile failed - Order status is processing, not yet valid" immediately upon the first poll response with "processing." Apple ACME client deviating from the RFC documentation. Has anyone found a reliable solution to this issue? Or does Apple supports asynchronous order finalization? Ref -https://datatracker.ietf.org/doc/html/rfc8555#:~:text=A%20request%20to%20finalize%20an%20order%20will%20result%20in%20error,to%20the%20%22certificate%22%20field%20of%20the%20order.%20%20Download%20the%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20certificate. To work around this, I’m holding the /finalize call until the CA issues the certificate. This works when issuance is quick (under 20 seconds), but if it takes more than that , the client times out. Interestingly, the Apple ACME client’s timeout appears shorter than the usual 60-second URLSession default.
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